Ashpan



June 13, 1939. s. J. HOGAN ASHPAN Filed Dec. 8, 1938 awa .17 M,

- [NI/ENTER.

ATTORNEY.

Patented June 13, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

This invention is an improvement in household utensils of the general class known as ash or dust pans.

It is designed to provide a device of such character made of thin sheet metal and so proportioned as to be capable of use underneath a stove or grate, resting horizontally upon the floor or hearth, or independently and in the manner of a dust pan for collection: of loose material by sweeping or brushing.

Generally stated, the pan consists of a single sheet of suitable metal or steel, copper, etc. having its front, side, and intermediate rear portions formed into a continuous upwardly extending rim or edge, terminating at the rear opposite corners, and with an extreme inner unobstructed terminal edge.

The device as thus made is provided with a series of supporting feet or lugs, adapted to make frictional contact with the hearth or floor surface,

' supporting the pan slightly thereabove. It is also provided with a front or outer adjustable supporting arm adapted to be folded underneath for horizontal location or extended outwardly for assuming a tilting or sloping position, as hereinafter described.

Referring to the drawing showing one preferred embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the device as located fiatwise on a floor, hearth, or other surface;

Fig. 2 is an edge view in inclined position;

Fig. 3 is a plan view, showing the supporting arm folded underneath, in dotted lines;

Fig. 4 is a rear edge view showing the supporting arm extended;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the rear unobstructed edge construction;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view on the line VI.VI. of Fig. 4, enlarged;

Fig. '7 is a similar view showing the supporting arm folded underneath the pan bottom on the line VILVII. of Fig. 8;

Fig, 8 is a partial edge view thereof;

Fig. 9 is a similar detail view showing one of the several supporting feet or lugs;

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail view thereof on the line XX. of Fig. 9.

The pan A is formed of a continuous sheet metal blank having an outer straight edge portion a and laterally extending portions b at each side. Such side portions extend rearwardly to a limited extent, more or less as desired and are confined by inwardly extending edge portions for placement against a stove or fireplace, terminating at c. the converging edge portions 01 disposed toward the rear as terminating at 6. Beyond such junction the side portions are angularly deflected outwardly as at f to the full terminal width of the pan, between which the rear edge 9 is unobstru'cted and adapted to make close contact with the floor surface, when in the tipped position of Fig. 2.

As thus constructed it will be observed that there is a continuous surrounding upwardly extending rim 2 with the exception of such rear edge 9. Such rim 2 is formed by pressing the metal in suitable dies to provide the inner vertical wall 3 and the outer vertical wall 4, greatly reinforcing and strengthening the article, stiffening it for maintenance of its form, and providing ample retaining edge walls for the contents. The height of such rim or edge portion may be of any suitable dimension as required to suit the conditions of use, as willbe readily understood.

For the purpose of supporting the pan slightly above the fioor surface, in horizontal position, it is provided at suitable intervals with inserted supporting feet or lugs 5, consisting of small blocks of suitable material as leather, rubber, or any usable composition having ample strength and density, and preferably with a frictional surface-engaging contact.

Such supports 5 are fixedly held in position by Extending rearwardly therebeyond are 7 w tightly clamping the sides together with a suitable tool, as a plier having a point in one jaw thereof, adapted to indent the outer sheet metal wall and force it inwardly into firm holding engagement with the support 5, as indicated at 6. At the front edge portion the supports 5a are similarly held in place after insertion, and serve as pivoting mountings for the terminals 1 of the rear wire or other adjustable support 8.

Such support as shown is hinged by its terminals I in the oppositely located blocks 5a prior to insertion thereof, after which they are also fixedly held by the inwardly pressed metal, as. at 6. The hinge portions I thus extend in opposite directions, being bent downwardly as at 9 for a short distance just sufiicient to provide for inward folding location of the arm 8 as in Fig. '7, underneath the pan, or for outward supporting location as in Figs. 2, 4 and 6.

For clearance thereof in such outward position the outer wall 4 is slotted. as at Ill, so that when the arm is thrust outwardly it will be firmly held upwardly against the upper terminal of such slots, at each side.

Arm 8 may be formed in any suitable manner,

as indicated in Fig. 4, whereby its cross connecting portion H may rest upon the floor, or such cross portion may be used as a hanger or a grasping handle.

As thus constructed it will be seen that when the arm 8 is folded underneath as in Fig. 7, the pan is capable of location horizontally, as in Fig. 1.

When used separately as a dust pan, Fig. 2, it will be slightly tilted, bringing the rear edge 9 into close intimate contact with the floor surface, to facilitate sweeping or brushing from the floor onto the pan.

By reason of the outwardly flaring terminal sides 1, such sweeping is facilitated, whereas by the reverse inclination of the intermediate sides d, discharge of such contents is facilitated by such inward convergence toward the discharge terminal portion, for deposit in any receptacle.

The advantage of the enlarged front portion by its side extension b will be readily understood and. appreciated in connection with its use wherever cinders or ashes are received as by falling from a grate or stove, providing a wide amply deep surface, within the confining front and side edge portions.

The construction of the device will be readily understood and appreciated from the foregoing description and its utility for the various uses suggested, or others as they may arise, will be appreciated by all those familiar with similar utensils.

When in use separately as a dust pan, the support 8 in outwardly extended position, may be utilized as a handle, or for hanging the device on a hook or nail, in close proximity to a wall surface. It will be understood that the pan may be .changed or varied by the skilled mechanic or manufacturer in different details, or by variations in design, dimensions, etc., or otherwise, within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as:

1. An ash pan consisting of a sheet metal blank having a rear open receiving edge, a front maximum width portion extending rearwardly and then inwardly at each side, then converging at each side rearwardly to a minimum width, and then flaring outwardly to the rear edge, all of its edge portions except the rear having a surrounding upwardly extending retaining wall.

2. An ash pan consisting of a sheet metal blank having a rear open receiving edge, a front maximum width portion extending rearwardly and then inwardly at each side, then converging at each side rearwardly to a minimum width, and then flaring outwardly to the rear edge, all of its edge portions except the rear having a surrounding upwardly extending retaining wall formed by bending the blank to provide spaced apart inner and outer sides and a top edge.

3. An ash pan consisting of a sheet metal blank having a rear open receiving edge, a front maximum width portion extending rearwardly and then inwardly at each side, then converging at each side rearwardly to a minimum width, and then flaring outwardly to the rear edge, all of its edge portions except the rear having a surrounding upwardly extending retaining wall formed by bending the blank to provide spaced apart inner and outer sides and a top edge, and spaced apart floor contact bearings secured between the sides thereof.

4. An ash pan of sheet metal as described having partially surrounding edges formed by upwardly, outwardly and downwardly disposed terminal portions with an under space, and floor contacting bearing units secured therein by forcing one of said portions into tight holding and embracing engagement with the bearings.

5. In combination with an ash pan as described having a front double sided spaced apart rim having outer slotted clearance openings and a pair of bearings clamped therebetween, a pan tipping support formed of a bent wire having terminals journalled in said bearings adapted to be swung underneath the pan or to be reversely erected outwardly through said clearance openings to support the pan at an inclination.

SIDNEY J. HOGAN. 

